Toy vehicle with adjustable chassis

ABSTRACT

A toy vehicle with an adjustable chassis is disclosed. The toy vehicle comprises a chassis having a left frame rail and a right frame rail. Each of the left and right frame rails is moveable between a first position and a second position. One or more wheels are attached to each of the left and right frame rails and a vehicle body is mounted onto the chassis. Moving the left and right frame rails to their first positions results in the left and right frame rails moving toward each other and toward the vehicle body. Moving the left and right frame rails to their second positions results in the left and right frame rails moving away from each other and away from the vehicle body.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to toy vehicles, and inparticular, toy vehicles with an adjustable chassis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Toy cars and vehicles are popular toys for people of all ages.Generally, a typical toy vehicle comprises a vehicle body and a set ofwheels attached directly to the vehicle body or to a chassis/frameforming part of the vehicle body. The positioning of the wheels inrelation to the vehicle body plays an important part in the aestheticsand/or playability of the toy vehicle. Thus, to provide greater playvalue, it is desirable for a toy vehicle to have repositionable wheels,which allows a single vehicle to be displayed and played with indifferent configurations. Furthermore, it is desirable for the toyvehicle to have a built-in mechanism for easily adjusting the chassisand wheels on the toy vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A toy vehicle with an adjustable chassis is disclosed herein. Accordingto one aspect of the present invention, the toy vehicle comprises achassis having a left frame rail and a right frame rail. The left andright frame rails are moveable between a first position and a secondposition. A front wheel and a rear wheel are attached to each of theleft and right frame rails and a vehicle body is mounted onto of thechassis. The toy vehicle also includes an adjustment mechanism forsimultaneously moving the left and right frame rails between their firstpositions and second positions.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a toy vehicle isprovided comprising a chassis having a left frame rail and a right framerail. Each of the left and right frame rails is moveable between a firstposition and a second position. One or more wheels are attached to eachof the left and right frame rails and a vehicle body is mounted on topof the chassis. In one of more embodiments, moving the left and rightframe rails to their first positions results in the left and right framerails moving towards each other and upwards toward the vehicle body.Moving the left and right frame rails to their second positions resultsin the left and right frame rails moving away from each other anddownwards from the vehicle body. Preferably, the one or more wheelsattached to each of the left and right frame rails freely rotate whilethe left and right frame rails are in their first positions and secondpositions.

The chassis of the toy vehicle further comprises a front portion and arear portion. In one or more embodiments, the front and rear portionseach have slanted openings for guiding the left and right frame rails asthe left and right frame rails move between their first positions andsecond positions. In one instance, the left and right frame rails arebiased towards their first positions. One or more springs or elasticmembers are used to bias the left and right frame rails toward theirfirst positions.

In one or more embodiments, the toy vehicle has an adjustment knob forcontrolling the movement of the left and right frame rails between theirfirst positions and second positions. In one instance, turning theadjustment knob in a first direction moves the left and right framerails to their first positions and turning the adjustment knob in asecond direction moves the left and right frame rails to their secondpositions. In some embodiments, the toy vehicle further comprises acentral bar positioned between the left frame rail and right frame rail.Turning the adjustment knob causes the central bar to move the left andright frame rails between their first positions and second positions. Inone instance, rotational movement of the adjustment knob is translatedto linear movement of the central bar.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a toy vehicle isprovided comprising a chassis having a front portion and a rear portion.The chassis supports a left frame rail and a right frame rail that areeach moveable between a first position and a second position. A frontwheel and a rear wheel are attached to each of the left and right framerails and a vehicle body is mounted onto the chassis. The front and rearportions of the chassis each have slanted openings for guiding the leftand right frame rails as the left and right frame rails move betweentheir first positions and second positions. Moving the left and rightframe rails to their first positions results in the left and right framerails moving inwards toward a center of the chassis and upwards into thevehicle body. Moving the left and right frame rails to their secondpositions results in the left and right frame rails moving away from thecenter of the chassis and downwards from the vehicle body.

In one or more embodiments, the toy vehicle further comprises anadjustment knob for controlling the movement of the left and right framerails between their first positions and second positions. One or moresprings or elastic members bias the left and right frame rails towardtheir first positions. A central bar is also positioned between the leftframe rail and right frame rail. In one instance, rotating theadjustment knob 90 degrees in a first direction results in the centralbar moving the left and right frame rails to their second positions.Turning the adjustment knob 90 degrees in a second direction oppositethe first direction results in the central bar allowing the left andright frame rails to return to their first positions.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription. It is to be understood, however, that the detaileddescription and specific examples, while indicating some embodiments ofthe invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Manychanges and modifications within the scope of the invention may be madewithout departing from the spirit thereof, and the present inventionincludes all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers representcorresponding parts throughout:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate top views of a generalized representation ofan adjustable chassis for a toy vehicle in a first configuration (FIG.1A) and a second configuration (FIG. 1B), according to one embodiment ofthe invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate front views of a toy vehicle in a firstconfiguration (FIG. 2A) and a second configuration (FIG. 2B), accordingto another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate side views of a toy vehicle in a firstconfiguration (FIG. 3A) and a second configuration (FIG. 3B), accordingto another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate bottom views of an adjustable chassis withframe rails in their first positions (FIG. 4A) and their secondpositions (FIG. 4B), according to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3Aand 3B;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate top views of an adjustable chassis with acentral bar in its first position (FIG. 5A) and its second position(FIG. 5B), according to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B;

FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of a toy vehicle, according to anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom view of a toy vehicle, according to anotherembodiment of the invention; and

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a front view (FIG. 8A) and rear view (FIG.8B) of an adjustable chassis, according to the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A toy vehicle according to the present invention includes an adjustablechassis with one or more movable frame rails. Depending on thepositioning of the one or more frame rails, wheels attached to the oneor more frame rails may be moved to different positions on the toyvehicle, thereby allowing the toy vehicle to be displayed and playedwith in different configurations.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a general embodiment of an adjustablevehicle frame or chassis 100 of a toy vehicle is shown. The chassis 100is the main supporting structure of the toy vehicle to which othercomponents, such as wheels 108 and a vehicle body (not shown), areattached. It is to be noted that though the toy vehicles are describedand illustrated herein as having a separate vehicle body mounted on thechassis 100 (i.e., body-on-frame construction), the vehicle body mayalso be unified with the chassis 100 (i.e., unibody construction) incertain embodiments.

In a typical embodiment, chassis 100 includes a left frame rail 104 anda right frame rail 106 supported by a lower portion 102 of the chassis100. The left and right frame rails 104, 106 can each be moved between afirst position A (see FIG. 1A) and a second position B (see FIG. 1B).Moving the left and right frame rails 104, 106 in respective firstdirections (as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1A) allows the left andright frame rails 104, 106 to shift to their second positions B.Conversely, moving the left and right frame rails 104, 106 in respectivesecond directions (as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 1B) allows theleft and right frame rails 104, 106 to shift back to their firstpositions A.

In a preferred embodiment, the left and right frame rails 104, 106 movetogether simultaneously when being shifted between their first andsecond positions. In other embodiments, the left and right frame rails104, 106 are moved separately to their first and second positions. Forexample, the left frame rail 104 may be moved to its second position Bwhile the right frame rail 106 remains in its first position A. Further,though two frame rail positions are described and illustrated herein(i.e., first position A and second position B), some embodiments of theadjustable chassis may have a different number of frame rail positions.In one instance, the left and right frame rails may each moveincrementally through three or more frame rail positions. In otherinstances, due to a gradual/continuous transitional movement between thefirst and second positions, the left and right frame rails may each bepositioned in the first or second position, as well as any positionbetween the first and second positions.

Since wheels 108 are attached to the left and right frame rails 104,106, the wheels 108 are also repositioned accordingly as the left andright frame rails 104, 106 move between their first and secondpositions. Thus, moving the left and right frame rails to their first orsecond positions transforms a toy vehicle to a respective first orsecond configuration with differently positioned wheels. Preferably, thewheels 108 can freely rotate in either vehicle configuration,irrespective of whether the left and right frame rails 104, 106 are intheir first or second positions. This allows a user to play with the toyvehicle in multiple configurations.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show an example of a toy vehicle 200 that has a firstconfiguration C (see FIG. 2A) and second configuration D (see FIG. 2B).The toy vehicle 200 has a vehicle body 210 that is positioned overwheels 208 attached to an adjustable chassis (not shown). The vehiclebody 210 can be of any shape or design as long as it has sufficientspace inside to accommodate the chassis and/or the movement of the framerails and wheels 208. In this illustrative embodiment, to transform thetoy vehicle 200 from its first configuration C to its secondconfiguration D, the chassis is adjusted such that it causes the wheels208 to move at an angle both away from each other and downwards from thevehicle body 210. To transform the toy vehicle 200 from its secondconfiguration D to its first configuration C, the chassis is adjustedsuch that it causes the wheels 208 to move at an angle both towards eachother and upwards toward the vehicle body 210. In a preferredembodiment, the wheels 208 all move together simultaneously while thechassis is being adjusted. In other embodiments, one or more of thewheels 208 are moved separately while the chassis is being adjusted.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show side views of a toy vehicle 300 having a similarfirst configuration C (see FIG. 3A) and second configuration D (see FIG.3B) as the toy vehicle 200 in FIGS. 2A and 2B. In its firstconfiguration C, the positioning of the wheels 308 gives the toy vehicle300 a lowered vehicle body 310 reminiscent of a lowrider car style whenthe toy vehicle 300 is placed on a support surface such as the floor, atrack or a tabletop. In its second configuration D, the positioning ofthe wheels 308 gives the toy vehicle 300 a more “normal” carconfiguration where the vehicle body 310 is higher off the supportsurface. In addition to a difference in its appearance, changing theconfiguration of the toy vehicle 300 may also affect its racingcharacteristics. For example, the lower ride height or clearance of thetoy vehicle 300 while it is in the low rider configuration C gives thetoy vehicle 300 a low center of gravity. The toy vehicle 300 is thusless likely to topple or roll over when traveling at high speeds orperforming sharp/abrupt turns. Transforming the toy vehicle 300 to themore “normal” configuration D gives the toy vehicle 300 a higher groundclearance that is helpful if the toy vehicle 300 is played on uneventerrain or travels through loops, ramps or obstacles.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show an example of an adjustable chassis 400 viewed fromthe bottom of a toy vehicle similar to the toy vehicle 300 in FIGS. 3Aand 3B. Specifically, FIGS. 4A and 4B show an upper portion 402 of thechassis 400. The lower portion of the chassis that supports the leftframe rail 404 and a right frame rail 406 is not shown (see, e.g., FIGS.5A and 5B for an example of the lower portion of a chassis). Frontwheels 408 and rear wheels 409 are attached to the left frame rail 404and right frame rail 406. Moving the left and right frame rails 404, 406repositions the front and rear wheels 408, 409 accordingly.

The left and right frame rails 404, 406 can each be moved between afirst or inner position E (see FIG. 4A) and a second or outer position F(see FIG. 4B). While the left and right frame rails 404, 406 are intheir first positions E, shifting the left and right frame rails 404,406 away from the center of the chassis 400 (as indicated by the arrowsin FIG. 4A) and away from the vehicle body moves the left and rightframe rails 404, 406 to their second positions F. Shifting the left andright frame rails 404, 406 toward the center of the chassis 402 (asindicated by the arrows in FIG. 4B) and toward the vehicle body movesthe left and right frame rails 404, 406 back to their first positions E.Leaf springs 412, 414 further bias the left and right frame rails 404,406 toward their first positions E.

The chassis 400 also includes a central bar 416 that is positionedbetween the left and right frame rails 404, 406. The central bar 416 hasone or more angled cam surfaces 418 that contact one or more respectivecam surfaces 419 on the left and right frame rails 404, 406. These camsurfaces are able to slide against each other as the central bar moveslaterally back and forth. Moving the central bar backward in thedirection G forces the left and right frame rails 404, 406 apart (i.e.,to their second positions F). Moving the central bar forward in thedirection H allows the leaf springs 412, 414 to push the left and rightframe rails 404, 406 back toward the center of the chassis 402 (i.e., totheir first positions E).

FIGS. 5A and 5B show an example of a lower portion 500 of a chassis. Thelower portion 500 connects with the upper portion 402 of the chassis 400(see, e.g., FIGS. 4A and 4B). The lower portion 500 of the chassisincludes an adjustment knob 502 operatively connected to the central bar416. In this illustrative embodiment, the adjustment knob 502 has aprotrusion 504 that engages with an opening 506 on the central bar 416.The opening 506 is shaped such that movement of the protrusion 504causes the central bar 416 to laterally move back and forth.

FIG. 5A shows a first position of the adjustment knob 502 and thecentral bar 416. As the adjustment knob 502 is turned counter-clockwisein the direction of arrow I, the central bar 416 moves back in thedirection of arrow G, which results in the second position shown in FIG.5B. In FIG. 5B, the adjustment knob 502 may then be turned clockwise inthe direction of arrow J to move the central bar 416 forward in thedirection of arrow H and return to the first position shown in FIG. 5A.As described earlier, moving the central bar 416 back or forth causesthe left and right frame rails 404, 406 to move to their secondpositions B (see FIG. 4B) or return to their first positions A (see FIG.4A), respectively. A stop is further included as part of the central bar416, adjustment knob 502, and/or lower portion 500 of the chassis toprevent the adjustment knob 502 from being rotated more than 90 degreesin the counter-clockwise direction I or clockwise direction J.

FIG. 6 shows another example of a toy vehicle 600 including both anadjustable chassis 612 (the lower portion of the chassis 612 has beenremoved and is not shown) and a vehicle body 610. The toy vehicle 600has an adjustment knob 602 with an extension 608 that a user can graspto more easily rotate the adjustment knob 602. Turning the adjustmentknob 602 clockwise in the direction of arrow J moves the central bar 616forward in the direction of arrow H, which subsequently allows the leftand right frame rails 604, 606 to move toward the center of the chassis612 (as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 6) and toward the vehicle body610. Though an adjustment knob 602 is described and illustrated herein,other adjustment mechanisms for moving the left and right frame rails604, 606 may also be used. For example, the adjustment mechanism mayutilize a switch, button or dial to adjust the positions of the left andright frame rails. Also, the left and right frame rails may be movedmanually as described or mechanically through the use of an electricmotor.

In other embodiments, the chassis does not include a central bar. FIG. 7shows an example of a toy vehicle 700 where rotational movement of anadjustment knob 708 directly moves a left frame rail 704 and right framerail 706. An elastic member 702, such as an elastic band, is coupled tothe left frame rail 704 and right frame rail 706, thereby biasing theleft and right frame rails 704, 706 to their first positions A. Each ofthe frame rails 704, 706 includes a pair of posts 703 as shown in FIG.7. The elastic member 702 extends around all the posts 703, therebypulling or biasing the frame rails 704, 706 toward each other.

The adjustment knob 708 is positioned between the left and right framerails 704, 706 and has an extension 710 that a user can grasp to rotatethe adjustment knob 708. Turning the adjustment knob 708 ninety degreesin either direction clockwise or counter-clockwise (as indicated by thearrow in FIG. 7) forces the left and right frame rails 704, 706 apart totheir second positions. Continuing to turn the adjustment knob 708ninety degrees in the same direction or in the opposite direction allowsthe elastic member 702 to pull the left and right frame rails 704, 7406back toward the center of the toy vehicle (i.e., to their firstpositions).

FIGS. 8A and 8B show an example of a front portion 802 and rear portion804 of an adjustable chassis 806. As shown in FIG. 8A, the front portion802 has slanted openings 808, 810 for respectively guiding the left andright frame rails 812, 814 as they move between their first positionsand second positions. Here, the left and right frame rails 812, 814 aredepicted in their second positions. The slanted openings 808, 810 areangled such that the left and right frame rails 812, 814 simultaneouslymove both towards the center of the chassis 806 and upwards from asupport surface/floor as the left and right frame rails 812, 814 movefrom their second positions to their first positions. Moving from theirfirst positions to their second positions causes the left and rightframe rails 812, 814 to simultaneously move both away from the center ofthe chassis 806 and downwards toward the support surface/floor.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the rear portion 804 also has slanted openings 816,818 that are similarly angled, which allows the respective left andright frame rails 812, 814 to remain parallel to the supporting surfaceand each other as they move. The rear portion 804 further includescutaways 820, 822 to facilitate the insertion of the left and rightframe rails 812, 814 onto the chassis 806 during the manufacturingand/or assembly of the toy vehicle. In other embodiments, the chassis806 may include openings of different shapes or angles to allow the leftand right frame rails be repositioned in different positions on the toyvehicle.

Although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and described hereinas embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless notintended to be limited to the details shown, since various modificationsand structural changes may be made therein without departing from thescope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents ofthe claims.

Moreover, it is to be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,”“top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,”“upper,” “lower,” “interior,” “exterior,” “inner,” “outer” and the likeas may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of referenceand do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation orconfiguration. Further, the term “exemplary” may be used herein todescribe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein asexemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageousembodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possibleembodiment of the invention.

Finally, various features from one of the embodiments may beincorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it isappropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in amanner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. A toy vehicle comprising: a chassis having a left frame rail and aright frame rail, each of the left and right frame rails being moveablebetween a first position and a second position; a front wheel and a rearwheel attached to each of the left and right frame rails; and a vehiclebody mounted on top of the chassis; wherein moving the left and rightframe rails to their first positions results in the left and right framerails moving towards each other and upwards toward the vehicle body; andwherein moving the left and right frame rails to their second positionsresults in the left and right frame rails moving away from each otherand downwards from the vehicle body.
 2. The toy vehicle of claim 1,wherein the chassis further comprises a front portion and a rearportion, the front and rear portions each having slanted openings forguiding the left and right frame rails as the left and right frame railsmove between their first positions and second positions.
 3. The toyvehicle of claim 1, wherein the left and right frame rails are biasedtowards their first positions.
 4. The toy vehicle of claim 1, furthercomprising one or more springs or elastic members biasing the left andright frame rails toward their first positions.
 5. The toy vehicle ofclaim 1, further comprising an adjustment knob for controlling themovement of the left and right frame rails between their first positionsand second positions.
 6. The toy vehicle of claim 5, wherein turning theadjustment knob in a first direction moves the left and right framerails to their first positions and turning the adjustment knob in asecond direction moves the left and right frame rails to their secondpositions.
 7. The toy vehicle of claim 5, further comprising a centralbar positioned between the left frame rail and the right frame rail,wherein turning the adjustment knob causes the central bar to move theleft and right frame rails between their first positions and secondpositions.
 8. The toy vehicle of claim 7, wherein rotational movement ofthe adjustment knob is translated to linear movement of the central bar.9. The toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein the front wheel and the rearwheel attached to each of the left and right frame rails freely rotatewhile the left and right frame rails are in their first positions andsecond positions.
 10. A toy vehicle comprising: a chassis having a leftframe rail and a right frame rail, the left and right frame rails beingmoveable between a first position and a second position; a front wheeland a rear wheel attached to each of the left and right frame rails; avehicle body mounted onto of the chassis; and an adjustment mechanismfor simultaneously moving the left and right frame rails between theirfirst positions and second positions.
 11. The toy vehicle of claim 10,wherein the chassis further comprises a front portion and a rearportion, the front and rear portions each having slanted openings forguiding the left and right frame rails as the left and right frame railsmove between their first positions and second positions.
 12. The toyvehicle of claim 10, wherein the left and right frame rails are biasedtowards their first positions.
 13. The toy vehicle of claim 10, furthercomprising one or more springs or elastic members biasing the left andright frame rails toward their first positions.
 14. The toy vehicle ofclaim 10, wherein the adjustment mechanism is a rotatable adjustmentknob.
 15. The toy vehicle of claim 14, wherein turning the adjustmentknob in a first direction moves the left and right frame rails to theirfirst positions and turning the adjustment knob in a second directionmoves the left and right frame rails to their second positions.
 16. Thetoy vehicle of claim 14, further comprising a central bar positionedbetween the left frame rail and the right frame rail, wherein turningthe adjustment knob causes the central bar to move the left and rightframe rails between their first positions and second positions.
 17. Thetoy vehicle of claim 16, wherein rotational movement of the adjustmentknob is translated to linear movement of the central bar.
 18. The toyvehicle of claim 10, wherein the front wheel and the rear wheel attachedto each of the left and right frame rails freely rotate while the leftand right frame rails are in their first positions and second positions.19. A toy vehicle comprising: a chassis having a front portion and arear portion, the chassis further supporting a left frame rail and aright frame rail that are each moveable between a first position and asecond position, the front and rear portions each having slantedopenings for guiding the left and right frame rails as the left andright frame rails move between their first positions and secondpositions; a front wheel and a rear wheel attached to each of the leftand right frame rails; and a vehicle body mounted onto the chassis;wherein moving the left and right frame rails to their first positionsresults in the left and right frame rails moving inwards toward a centerof the chassis and upwards into the vehicle body; and wherein moving theleft and right frame rails to their second positions results in the leftand right frame rails moving away from the center of the chassis anddownwards from the vehicle body.
 20. The toy vehicle of claim 19 furthercomprising: an adjustment knob for controlling the movement of the leftand right frame rails between their first positions and secondpositions; one or more springs or elastic members biasing the left andright frame rails toward their first positions; and a central barpositioned between the left frame rail and the right frame rail, whereinrotating the adjustment knob 90 degrees in a first direction results inthe central bar moving the left and right frame rails to their secondpositions and turning the adjustment knob 90 degrees in a seconddirection opposite the first direction results in the central barallowing the left and right frame rails to return to their firstpositions.